"People with the Mets and the Yankees suspect that the report, which said the Mets 'might be the best fit,' was an idea generated by the Twins in an effort to induce the Yankees to move. General managers have been known to use reporters to stir another team's interest."

"A report in Thursday's Minneapolis Star-Tribune suggested that the Mets needed only to include [Fernando] Martinez to complete a deal for Santana. Two people familiar with the situation said Thursday that is not the case."

The source said the Mets are still in negotiations with the Twins, but Minnesota hasn't told them a package of prospects including outfielders Carlos Gomez and Fernando Martinez, and pitchers Philip Humber, Kevin Mulvey and Deolis Guerra would seal the deal for Santana.

"The Twins have not decided exactly what kind of package they want for Santana, simply pros pects or a deal for major-league ready players or a combi nation of both. New Twins general manager Billy Smith is taking his time, because he is following GM Terry Ryan, who made a series of one- sided deals for Minnesota."

The Newsday story, however, claims the Mets have "rekindled discussions" with the Twinkies over Santana. The Mets are clearly very much alive in this thing, and possibly even the front-runner.

My take?

If I were Twins GM Bill Smith, I'd want to trade Santana somewhere where he couldn't haunt me for the next five or six seasons.